Big Savings with Little Changes to Appliances

This summer, concentrate on making some simple changes that relate to your household appliances, and see how much you can save on your energy costs. Start by keeping your fridge and oven doors closed. Don’t cool off in front of an open fridge door, and even though the kids are home, try to avoid opening and closing the fridge door frequently. Letting the cool out will cause your fridge to work harder to stay at the proper temperature. Of course, heating up your oven and opening that oven door will heat up your kitchen, requiring your air conditioning to work harder. Use your microwave or enjoy the outdoor barbeque instead of cooking in the oven.

Remember that “It’s a Dry heat in Arizona” so why not put it to use? Don’t run your dishwasher’s dry cycle – let your dishes dry naturally. Let clothes line-dry instead of running your dryer this summer – you’ll keep the house cooler and save on dryer energy costs.

If you are heading out of town to escape the heat, you can set your fridge and freezer a little bit higher since they won’t be opened up at all. APS recommends 42 degrees for the refrigerator and 5 degrees for the freezer. If you’ll be gone long-term you can clean it out and turn it off altogether. You can turn your hot water heater off while you’re away, or use the “vacation” setting if your heater has one. Before you leave on vacation, be sure to turn off electrical items such as computers, printers and unplug small appliances. Use only lighting needed for security, and set it up on timers. Paying attention to the little things can make a big difference in your energy bills this summer.

Choosing a Fridge

Renovating your kitchen? One of the most important decisions to make is what type of refrigerator you want. There are so many makes and models available, it might seem impossible to narrow down your choices to that one perfect fridge. Size is the first important factor in choosing a refrigerator that will incorporate into your kitchen remodel.

First measure the space you have selected for your fridge in your new kitchen layout. Include an inch or so at the top and sides for clearance, and remember to measure how far out the refrigerator extends with doors open. The other aspect of size that is important is the storage capacity of the unit. With two or three people in the home, 18 to 22 cubic feet of storage might be enough, but larger families or those who love entertaining will want more space.

Styles include side-by-side models, and those with the freezer on the top or bottom. Different styles offer different amounts of storage space and functionality. Then there are features such as in-door ice and water dispensers, humidity and temperature controls, and slide-out storage features and shelves. And of course – color. You’ll want to match your new fridge to your other appliances, and possibly upgrade with panels to match your cabinetry for a seamless design.

Energy efficiency is also a consideration when choosing appliances today. Look for the Energy Star designation, and check into ways to conserve energy once you have your new appliance in place. Check reviews and ratings for your possible refrigerator choices to lessen the chance of unpleasant surprises once your dream fridge is in place, and look for a good warranty on your purchase. It should cover parts for a year and the sealed refrigeration system for five years.

Having the right new refrigerator can make or break your kitchen renovation and even add to your return on investment, so make sure to research and choose the model that works perfectly in your renovation design.